Dog Breeds that Don’t Get Along with Cats (Cat-Owners, Beware!)

We’ve all seen videos where dogs and cats are getting along quite nicely. In fact, some of you reading this might have dogs and cats at home and know that they can indeed live together in peace.

However, there are a lot of dog breeds that don’t get along with cats. It is essential to keep this in mind, especially if you don’t want constant mayhem in your home as your dog chases your cat all around the house.

If you’ve got a cat and are looking to bring in a new dog, or you’ve got a dog and are thinking of introducing a feline to the family, you need to take note of these breeds. They simply don’t like cats and probably never will.

This article will make sure you’re not going to be constantly breaking up fights.

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Saluki

Although the Saluki appears to be graceful and frail, it has been trained as an avid hunter. It possesses the strength and stamina to chase quarries over long distances and rugged terrain.

Revered as the royal dog, these were initially used in Egypt to track and take on gazelle. This breed will naturally run after anything that moves, including cats, making them one of the worst dog breeds for cats.

Afghan Hound

These natural-born hunters were used for hunting wolves, rabbits, and occasionally snow leopards because of their speed and strength as they brought down prey. Also, they often have the endurance required for arduous and lengthy chases. 

They are considered to have a strong interest in hunting cats, and that’s what places the Afghan Hound at the top of the list of non-cat-friendly dog breeds. 

They are excellent show dogs with their lovely silk fur. While they need a lot of daily grooming to keep their beautiful coats, they are loved by their masters as ideal companion dogs, but not in cats’ homes.

Standard Schnauzer

The root of this breed is in Germany. They were bred to protect families and livestock by ridding their farmyards of vermin. 

They are affectionate and friendly, particularly with children. They seem to be extremely intelligent but also very strong-willed. Schnauzers ought to practice discipline and exercise daily. 

And, because they have both a strong prey instinct and a fearless temperament, they really shouldn’t cohabit with any kind of small pet, including cats.

Samoyed 

They might even look like a big toy. Still, these pups are actually Siberian working dogs with a very high prey drive, plus a terrific herding instinct. Undoubtedly, they make a wonderfully lovable family pet. They just love everybody, but will your cat be his or her BFF, or will it look like prey? 

Each and every one of them is different, so assessing your specific situation needs to be addressed at an individual level. Some Samoyeds have a propensity to utterly adore little kittens, while others may only see them as their next meal. You can’t be 100% sure your cat is safe, and that’s bad. 

So, even though most Samoyeds love their kitties when they were raised together, their instincts and their prey drive could suddenly kick in at any point in their lives. You’re best not mixing these dog breeds with cats.

Italian Greyhound

Although the Italian Greyhounds aren’t as fast as their famous relative, they’re still not the ideal companion to the cat. They were bred for catching small animals, which means that your kitty could easily become their next prey. 

Italian flocks usually are very submissive and thrive in a friendly and peaceful environment. Still, if they see a small animal scurrying, they prefer to obey their basic instincts. On the other hand, getting along with cats depends mainly on how they are trained and socialized by their owners. 

Suppose your cat and your Italian Greyhound are introduced at an early age. In that case, they will have the ability to grow up together, and your dog will end up treating your cat as a companion rather than as a meal.

Shih Tzu

The very glamorous little Shih Tzu is also known as the “Chinese Lion Dog”. They have a lot of history with royalty in China. They happen to be spunky little pals who love humans and still expect a lot of the same in return. They are considered to be sweet little dogs and usually to get along pretty well with other species. 

On the other hand, though, they seem to feel threatened by another pet living in their house. You see, this cute breed has a deep urge to be the center of attention. They get miserable and jealous when another animal, particularly a cat, steals the spotlight. And, while they might not harm another pet, the Shih Tzu may hurt his or her feelings and end up feeling sad when they realize they’re being ignored. 

That’s why they need to be cautiously exposed to a new family member to make sure they can get along. And, if you don’t have enough time to dedicate yourself to this effort, it’s best not to try to bring a Shih Tzu and a cat together in the same house.

Australian Cattle Dog

Full of energy and an intelligent breed, the Australian Cattle Dogs are ready and able to work all day. Their stamina, strength, and bravery make it easy for them to handle and move animals, even stubborn cows. 

An excellent problem solver and common show breed, Australian Cattle Dogs, need work when at home to keep them out of trouble.

The Australian Cattle Dog can tolerate cats if raised with them; however, they prefer to thrive in a cat-free household due to their powerful prey drive.

Siberian Husky

These are genuinely beautiful dogs, notorious for demanding a lot of attention. This is why they are not recommended for adoption by people who are not very experienced dog owners or by any family with smaller pets at home, particularly cats. Their hunting nature has a propensity to chase these small animals, and you can bet that Miss Kitty will not be an exception to the law. 

If they were adopted as puppies and kittens, they could grow up together like BFFs. As in this case, your dog would have been accustomed to living with your cat and, at the same time, your cat would not see Fido as a danger. Your job will be to give them a chance to get to know each other in a cat-friendly and dog-friendly atmosphere and foster contact and good behavior.

Otherwise, if you haven’t raised them together, the Siberian Husky is one of the worst dog breeds for cats.

Credits: thanks for the cover photo to Canva.

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